One of Urs Fischer's life-size candles. Photo by Viki Török. To read her Biennale reviews - click on photo.

Finally there is a moment to take a breath after the frenzy of the opening week of the Venice Biennale of International Art. This year already is the year of records being broken – a record number of national pavilions, a record number of parties and a record number of luxury yachts in the Venetian lagoon. The atmosphere is charged with energy as everyone clamours to cram in all the new exhibits and see the newest thing. It’s times like this I am grateful to know my way around so that I can avoid the congested areas without stress.

Now it’s a little calmer and there’s more space to relax and enjoy the city, dropping in and out of the exhibitions as you please. Even if it gets a bit hectic, there is so much fun in the air you don’t mind. It is easy to take a break, enjoy a refreshing prosecco in stunning surroundings, and then dive back into the fun. If there is a problem it is that there is too much to see. But it has always been that way in Venice. You have to make choices and sometimes it feels like you need a magic carpet to beat the clock, especially if everyone else wants to go to the same place.

But that’s also part of the fun. Even better if you have a bit of time to explore and discover what’s happening where. A little bit of planning, time management and discipline will go a long way to help you enjoy the smorgasbord on offer, and still feel relaxed at the end of the day. Best advice is make your choices, then relax, concentrate on one thing at a time and soak it all up.

Italian flags outside the Coliseum

Today is a holiday celebrating the abolition of the monarchy and the foundation of the Italian Republic (link to Wikipedia) in 1946.  It’s also 150 Years since Italian Unification. Some countries have their public/national holidays at weekends so they don’t  break up the working week.. but not Italy.   The Italians love a holiday in the middle of the week so they can have a “ponte”, meaning bridge.  This is a prolonged break which will normally last from a day or two before the official day off work to the Monday following it.  A nice long weekend is very useful at the start of the summer, so everyone can increase their tans and look even better in their new clothes!

There is an exhibition of some sort in the Vatican on June 21st and sales of pre-booked tickets have been blocked off, this could change but it will probably mean an even longer line than normal!  June 29th is the feast of St Peter and Paul and the Vatican is closed completely on that day.   It is also a public holiday in Rome – wonderful!!!!

We had another public transport strike today – no buses or trains – a real pain in the neck.  These strikes are occurring more frequently this year,  the political situation is extremely volatile and it is best to try and be prepared in advance.  These are a few sites that might help – however you should remember facts in Italy are fluid, never take anything as fixed!!!!!

http://www.summerinitaly.com/planning/strike.asp
http://www.easytravelreport.com/
http://www.commissionegaranziasciopero.it/
http://www.mit.gov.it/mit/site.php?p=scioperi

I just stayed at home – it was a hard decision to make, struggle with the Rome traffic or remain at the beach here in Focene (between Fregene and Fiumicino).  The weather is nice but there is too much of a breeze to go in for a swim.

I had a great weekend and was really happy that ItalyWithUs was mentioned twice in the media.  I never imagined we would be linked to an article about sexy places to visit!  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tony-perrottet/the-sinners-grand-tour_b_867696.html#s284242&title=Rome_Secrets_of .  Keeping art to yourself is more my thing http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/artsandculture/8539377/Cultural-city-breaks-Great-art-kept-all-to-yourself.html

Ciao until the next time…………

Sunset on Focene Beach, near Fiumicino Airport, Rome

My first blog (I think/hope!!).

I live at the beach very close to Fiumicino Airport. It is so wonderful here. Close to Rome but far enough away to be peaceful and relaxing.  This evening we had a really beautiful sunset and hopefully it signals the start of a long spell of good weather